Cleaning badges

[Col Blacker]

Brilliant - thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my query!

I have a few days off this week so I'll retreat to the shed and try the various suggestions and see wht works best!

Thank-you

Sean

[Bill A]

Re vinegar, what strength of vinegar is used? Table, pickling, or horticultural?

[wright241]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Re vinegar, what strength of vinegar is used? Table, pickling, or horticultural?

Table as pickling is a tad stronger - I like pickled onions - what can I say...

[Traist]

I use Table Vinegar, and dilute about 50/50 with water.
Regards Andrew

[johnG]

I have a really good blazer badge in my possession but it is many years old and the gold and silver wire work on it is very tarnished. Can anybody tell me please if there is a way of cleaning the badge and making it shine gain?

Thanks

[Unknownsoldier]

Don't think so, certainly nothing I'd want to try.....

Tom

[2747andy]

John,
cleaning not advised however, a small amount of Goddards silver dip and an old tooth brush (or use the wife's) will lift the tarnish, a small damp sponge will then remove any residue, you need to sponge off quite a bit because any excess S Dip may rot the cloth.

If you can avoid cleaning I would, but the above with care should brighten it up!

Andy

[johnG]

Many thanks for the advice. I will leave badge just as it is.

Regards

John

[mad4thcef]

Hello,

My father had a blazer crest gold and silver bullion. He was told to use toast that was in the 1940's.

He passed that onto me it works!

Rob

[2747andy]

Was that with or without butter?

Andy

[ORISKANY]

In those days it must have been MofF margerine!

I have been told that slightly stale white bread without spread, does the trick

[johnG]

Ah, but have you tried dipping it in sadza

[dragonz18]

Seriously,
Dress Regs. 1900 actually recommends.....
Officer's Bullion items requiring tarnish removal ,as rubbing with 'Cream of Tartar mixed with dry bread crumbs,mixed up fine'
Cheers !
Steve

[johnG]

Thanks dragonz. I will try that.

John

[johnG]

Originally Posted by dragonz18

Seriously,
Dress Regs. 1900 actually recommends.....
Officer's Bullion items requiring tarnish removal ,as rubbing with 'Cream of Tartar mixed with dry bread crumbs,mixed up fine'
Cheers !
Steve

This definitely comes under the heading 'Things the Victorian's taught us'.

The badge in question is 30 - 40 years old, and became very tanished - the process not having been helped by six years exposure to an atmosphere so polluted freshly polished silver turned black overnight and was quickly stored away out of sight as one learned to cope with the place.

I have hit the badge with three applications of the mixture as recommended and although it has not restored it to its pristine glory it has definitely made a very marked improvement and I think it not long before the badge will be back on a blazer pocket.

Thanks for the great help.

Regards

John